A riverside pub once threatened with plans to transform it into flats is now set to get a new lease of life as a village’s first fish and chip shop.

The George pub in Yalding had served punters for centuries.

But the vintage drinking hole in Benover Road has now sat vacant since closing almost two years ago.

In August last year planning permission was granted to change the use of the property from a pub to a takeaway, along with retail facilities.

This change will provide the village’s only takeaway fish and chip joint, alongside a store filled with local produce.

The new Yalding Supermarket and Mr Dan’s Takeaway is part of a six-month renovation project which owner Dan Mahendran says hasn’t been straightforward.

The 32-year-old business owner told KentOnline: “It’s been a long project - finding the right builders and the right team has been a headache, but we got there in the end.”

Since renovations began, Dan says people have been curious about the progress.

He added: “People are interested in having a convenience store that sells local produce and also Yalding hasn’t got a fast-food takeaway place, so people are excited about the fish and chips.

“We will always have a garden where customers can sit down and eat takeaway food in the summer outside.”

The new takeaway joint will offer fish and chips along with pizza and kebab options with “their own secret flavours and sauces”.

Opinion was split following submission of the change of use application back in April 2023.

One resident took to social media to vent.

They said: “I’ll be objecting to its change of use, I’ve only ever known it as a pub and would love to see it stay a pub and become as popular as it used to be.”

However, many residents also voiced their support for the new business.

One said: “If it’s not a viable pub then changing its use is a great way to stop it from becoming empty and neglected.”

Dan, who also owns Heath Stores in Horsmonden, says he hopes to create six jobs through the business, as well as stocking local produce and general products.

“It will be a good shop with good customer service and a wide range of products,” he added.

While the takeaway will open in the next four to five weeks, the general store will open this Thursday (April 4).

The business will be open from 7am until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The venue, which has 13 car parking spaces, sits on a flood zone and the new owner is aware that the building has flooded twice before.

Despite this challenge, Dan said: “It is what it is, you’ve just got to carry on.”

The George pub had been a feature of the village for centuries with documents showing its licensees record as far back as 1838 - but its history is said to date back even further to the 1500s.

It was initially earmarked to become housing in 2015 but the application was withdrawn and a new landlord and landlady, Tony and Julie Chalker, took over.

In May 2022, Tony was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was punched in the throat by an unwanted guest.

The couple left the pub in September 2022 due to troubles with a bridging loan taken out on the property.

They took the short-term loan as a way to free up funds to invest in a business proposition but, due to Covid forcing the pub to shut, they weren't able to find a long-term lender.

The couple fell into default and by November 2021 they went into receivership.

They had tried to sell the pub in June 2019 but couldn't find a buyer.

The pub was not able to reach the levels of trade pre-Covid and so by November 2022 it closed its doors permanently.